SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Mark Beevers set for fight to keep place

Richard Fidler
Sheffield Wednesday

SHEFFIELD Wednesday defender Mark Beevers is among a number of players fighting to keep his place with Anthony Gardner and Reda Johnson nearing a return to fitness.

Beevers has enjoyed a good run in the team since the start of the season since coming on for Gardner during the 2-2 draw at Pride Park against Derby County on the opening day of the Championship.

However, with former England international Gardner rapidly recovering after a hamstring injury, Owls manager Dave Jones could be tempted to put him straight back into the team for Friday night’s match at Brighton.

Jones wouldn’t say whether Gardner was back in full training yesterday, but shoring up the leaky Wednesday defence may have been at the top of his list after the break for international matches.

Only once - at home to Fulham in the Capital One Cup - when Stephen Bywater kept a clean sheet. In the other five matches the Owls have conceded two goals each time.

Chris Kirkland has been in good form between the posts since his summer move from Premier League club Wigan Athletic but Jones won’t want this generosity to continue at the Amex Stadium where Brighton smashed five past Barnsley at the end of August.

Meanwhile, the club have denied an Internet rumour that it will shortly have a new scoreboard. Chairman Milan Mandaric is on record to say it will happen at some point but there are no shor- term plans.

The fans’ forum with chief executive Paul Aldridge next week has sold out after being heavily over-subscribed. The club remind those lucky enough to have been selected to make use of their ticket and attend.